AL delegation makes case for aerospace jobs from Boeing

A delegation of Alabama representatives is making its case to aircraft manufacturer Boeing that Alabama would be a good place for more aerospace jobs.

The delegation is making the case for Alabama in a letter to Boeing president and CEO James McNerney following news that the company is considering locations to manufacture its planned 777X airplane fuselage, wing, and final assembly operations.

Boeing's decision to look outside Washington state comes after a fight with unions recently ended with machinists rejecting a long-term contract.

Alabama senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, as well as Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), Spencer Bachus (R-Vestavia Hills), Mike Rogers(R-Saks), Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) and Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) took part in the delegation that sent the letter to Boeing.

The state's delegation is going to have competition, though, as other states like Utah line up for a chance at the huge opportunity.

Highlighting Boeing's significant existing footprint in north Alabama, the delegation believes Huntsville would be the ideal place for production of the fuselage. They boast of a business-friendly environment with decades of high-tech aerospace expertise, low taxation and cost of living.

The letter also boasts the state's rational regulatory regime, right to work laws, low utility rates and excellent infrastructure including the world-class engineering and science fatalities at Alabama's universities statewide.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File). FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles...

With its popularity threatened and critics stretching all the way to the White House, the NFL tries to get past the debate over taking a knee during the national anthem but seems to muddle the issue even more.

With its popularity threatened and critics stretching all the way to the White House, the NFL tries to get past the debate over taking a knee during the national anthem but seems to muddle the issue even more.

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin). In this May 23, 2018, photo, President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Two House lawmakers who are allies of President Donald Tr...

A briefing Thursday about classified documents will be for just two Republican House members, both Trump allies, as Trump and his supporters in Congress press for information on the outside informant.